Erika J. Koch
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Florida, Social
Psychology, 2002
M.A., Wake Forest University, Psychology, 1999
B.A., Emory University, Psychology (Minor,
Spanish), 1995
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, 2023-present
Associate Professor, St. Francis Xavier University,
2008-2023
Assistant Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, 2005-2008
Assistant Professor, McDaniel College, 2002-2005
Instructor, University of Florida, 2000-2002
RESEARCH
INTERESTS
Anticipated
Regret in Health
Interpersonal
Rejection
Self and
Identity
Self-Compassion
Self-Esteem
PUBLICATIONS,
PAPERS, AND PRESENTATIONS
*St. FX graduate
Journal
articles and book chapters
Koch, E. J., *Davis-Janes, A., & Franz-Odendaal, T. (2023).
Outperformance-related discomfort: Another factor in women’s
under-representation in STEM? Sex Roles.
doi.org/10.1007/s11199-023-01418-1 pdf
Koch, E. J. (2023). Success with a
twinge of distress: Antecedents and consequences of outperformance-related
discomfort. Social and Personality
Psychology Compass. doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12736
Koch, E. J. (2022). Imagining the
hangover: Anticipated regret and binge drinking. Psi Chi Journal, 3(27), 212-222. doi: 10.24839/2325-7342.JN27.3.212
Koch, E. J. (2020). Remembering that
“Everybody Hurts”: The role of self-compassion in responses to rejection. Basic and Applied Social Psychology. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2020.1726748 pdf
Koch, E. J., & *Totton, S. F. M. (2017). “What’ve I
done to deserve this?” The role of deservingness in reactions to being an
upward comparison target. Journal of
Personal and Social Relationships, 34(1), 3–25. doi: 10.1177/0265407515619043 pdf
Koch, E. J. (2014). How does anticipated regret influence health
and safety decisions? A literature review.
Basic and Applied Social
Psychology, 36(5), 397-412. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2014.935379 pdf
Koch,
E. J., & *Metcalfe, K. P. (2011). The bittersweet taste of success:
Daily and recalled experiences of being an upward social comparison target. Basic
and Applied Social Psychology, 33, 47-58.
Koch,
E. J., & Lomore, C. D. (2009). “This is a public service announcement”:
Evaluating and redesigning campaigns to teach attitudes and persuasion. Teaching
of Psychology, 36, 270-272.
Koch, E. J.,
& Shepperd, J. A. (2008) Testing competence and acceptance explanations of
self-esteem. Self and Identity, 7, 54-74.
Shepperd, J. A., Grace, J. L., &
Koch, E. J. (2008). Evaluating the electronic textbook: Is it time to dispense
with the paper text? Teaching of Psychology,
35, 2-5.
Koch, E. J.
(2006). Examining the role of self-esteem in psychological functioning. In M.
H. Kernis (Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current
perspectives (pp. 260-266). New York: Psychology Press.
Shepperd, J.
A., & Koch, E. J. (2005). Pitfalls in teaching judgment heuristics. Teaching of Psychology, 32, 43-46.
Koch, E. J.,
& Shepperd, J. A. (2004). Is self-complexity linked to better coping? A
review of the literature. Journal of Personality, 72, 727-760.
Koch, E. J.
(2002). Relational schemas, self-esteem, and the processing of social stimuli. Self
and Identity, 1, 271-279.
Leary, M. R., Koch, E. J., & Hechenbleikner, N. R. (2001). Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection. In M. R. Leary (Ed.), Interpersonal rejection (pp. 145-167). New York: Oxford University Press.
Mass
media articles
Koch, E. J. (2021, March 3). The
potential benefits of remembering that “Everybody Hurts” [Blog post]. Retrieved
from https://spsp.org/news-center/blog/koch-self-compassion
Conference
Presentations (peer reviewed)
Koch, E. J. (2023, February).
Reactions to a high- vs. low-self-compassionate apology after a severe
transgression. Poster presented at the
meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA.
Koch, E. J., *Davis-Janes, A., & Franz-Odendaal, T. (2022, May).
Outperformance-related discomfort: Another factor in women’s
under-representation in STEM? Paper presented at the meeting of the Canadian
Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology, Halifax, NS.
Koch, E. J. (2021, February). Using
anticipated regret to reduce binge drinking: A cautionary tale. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society
for Personality and Social Psychology, Online.
Koch, E.J.,
Grace, J. L., & Galvez, M. F. (2021, February). Keep your self-compassion
to yourself: Intrapersonal benefits and interpersonal costs of displaying
self-compassion. Paper presented at the Self and Identity Preconference of
the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Online.
Koch, E. J.
(2020, February). Exploring outperformance-related discomfort among women in
STEM fields. Poster presented at the
meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.
Koch, E. J.
(2019, July). Imagining the hangover: Anticipated regret and binge drinking.
Paper and poster presented at the
bi-annual meeting of the International Society for Research on Emotion,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Koch, E. J.
(2019, February). Treating oneself kindly when others are cruel: The role of
self-compassion in responses to interpersonal rejection. Paper presented at the meeting of the
Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Portland, OR.
Koch, E. J.
(2018, June). The ambivalent experience of success: Another potential
explanation for women’s underrepresentation in STEM. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society
for Interpersonal Theory and Research, Montreal, QC.
Koch, E. J.
(2016, July). Does perceiving oneself as the target of a threatening upward
comparison predict missing out on capitalization? Paper presented at the
meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research, Berlin, Germany.
Koch, E. J.
(2015, August). The role of self-compassion in response to rejection. Paper
presented at the SELF Biennial International Conference, Kiel, Germany.
Koch, E.
J., & *Totton, S. F. M. (2015,
February). Getting what they deserve? The effects of perceived deservingness of
an outperformed person on an outperformer. Poster
presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology,
Long Beach, CA.
Koch, E. J.
(2014, February). “What’ve I done to deserve this?” The role of deservingness
in reactions to being an upward comparison target. Poster presented at the
meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Koch, E. J.
(2013, January) Evaluating
the effectiveness of an experimental self-complexity manipulation. Poster
presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology,
New Orleans, LA.
Koch, E.
J., & Weaver, A. D. (2012, June). Imagining the morning after: The role of
anticipated regret in friends with benefits relationships. Poster presented at
the Social/Personality Section Preconference of the Canadian Psychological
Association, Halifax, NS.
Koch, E. J.
(2012, May.) When self-complexity eases the sting of rejection. Poster
presented at the meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research,
Montreal, QC.
Koch, E. J. (2010, January) Competence
and acceptance: Exploring contributors to daily self-esteem. Poster presented
at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Las Vegas,
NV.
Koch, E. J., & *Sutherland, A.
K. (2009, February). Success isn’t always sweet: Reactions to being the
target of a threatening upward comparison (STTUC).
Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social
Psychology, Tampa, FL.
Koch, E. J., & *Keats, K. A.
(2008, February). Experimentally induced self-complexity and responses to
rejection. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and
Social Psychology, Albuquerque, NM.
Koch, E. J.
(2007, January). When doing well isn’t all good: Exploring daily experiences of
sensitivity about being the target of a threatening upward comparison (STTUC). Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for
Personality and Social Psychology, Memphis, TN.
Koch, E. J.,
& Spoonire, C. (2006, January). Who gets STTUC? Personality predictors of sensitivity to being the
target of a threatening upward comparison. Poster presented at the meeting of
the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Palm Springs, CA.
Reifman, A. S., Reich, D. A., Koch, E.
J., Lakin, J. L. Murphy, N. A.., & Silver, R. S.
(2005, August). Teaching about attribution theory using Howard Dean’s “Scream
Speech.” Poster presented at the meeting of the American Psychological
Association, Washington, DC.
Koch, E. J.
(2005, January). How do people explain their self-esteem? Comparing competence
and acceptance explanations of self-esteem in an internet sample. Poster presented
at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New
Orleans, LA.
Koch, E. J.,
& Shepperd, J. A. (2004, February). Is self-esteem both a sociometer and a
competence meter? In E. J. Koch (Chair), What makes self-esteem? Exploring Some
Antecedents and Their Consequences. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the
Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Koch, E. J.,
Shepperd, J. A., & Jasser, J. (2003, February). Self
versus other comparisons in women's weight perceptions. Poster presented
at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Los
Angeles, CA.
Koch, E. J.
& Shepperd, J. A. (2002, February). Self-esteem: Competence or acceptance?
Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social
Psychology, Savannah, GA.
Koch, E. J.
& Shepperd, J. A. (2001, February). Alternative views of low self-esteem:
Uncertainty and range of self. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society
for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
Koch, E. J.
& Leary, M. R. (2000, November). Relational schemas, self-esteem, and the
processing of social stimuli. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society of
Southeastern Social Psychologists, Macon, GA.
Koch, E. J.
& Shepperd, J. A. (2000, April). Self-certainty and self-esteem. Poster
presented at the Graduate Student Forum, University of Florida.
Koch, E. J.,
& Leary, M. R. (1999, March). Life values and self-presentational styles.
Poster presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association,
Savannah, GA.
Koch, E. J., & Leary, M. R. (1998, November). Personality predictors of self-presentational styles. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists, Athens, GA.
Invited
presentations
Koch, E. J. (2022, March). Outperformance-related discomfort: Another
factor in women’s under-representation in STEM? Paper presented at the Seminar
Series for the Biology Department, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS.
Koch, E. J. (2007, March). Doing well
but feeling bad: Exploring daily STTUC (sensitivity
about being the target of a threatening upward comparison) experiences. Paper
presented at the Psychology Department Colloquium Series, Acadia University,
Wolfville, NS.
Other
presentations
Koch, E. J. (2024, May). Self-compassion: Research and practice. Paper
presented at the Psychology Department Summer Colloquium Series, St. Francis
Xavier University, Antigonish, NS.
Koch, E. J. (2022, November). Exploring outperformance-related discomfort
among women in STEM Fields: Observations from a focus group. Paper presented at
the Hive for Feminist Research, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish,
NS.
Koch, E. J. (2015, January). The downside of being up: Perceiving oneself
as an upward comparison target. Paper presented at the Psychology Department
Colloquium Series, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Society for Self and Identity
Social Psychology Network
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
UNIVERSITY
AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Association
of University Teachers (AUT) Equitable Hiring and Evaluation Committee, 2024-present
Psychology
Departmental Evaluation Committee (DEC), 2010, 2013, 2017-2018; 2025-present
Psychology
Department Research Participation Pool Coordinator, 2013-2023; 2024; 2025-present
Psychology
Department Research Ethics Committee (REC), 2005; 2008-2009; 2015-2016; 2025-present
Psychology
Department Mentor, 2024-present
University
Research Ethics Board, 2008-2011; 2012-2015; 2022-2023
Psychology
Department Social Affairs Coordinator, 2015-2016; 2020-2021; 2022-2023
Mentor, Society
for the Teaching of Psychology (STP) Professional
Development Mentoring Program, 2021-2022
Committee on
Research Integrity (CORI), 2009-2011; 2019-2022 (Chair)
Mentor,
Faculty Mentorship Program, 2020-2021
Academic Vice
President and Provost (AVPP) Review Committee, 2019
Academic
Planning and Priorities (APP) Sub-Committee on Exam Regulations, 2019
Adjudicator
for Student Research Day, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
Animal Care
Committee, 2015-2016; 2017-2018
Search/Appointment
Committee for the Dean of Arts, 2016
St. FX for
SAFE (Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace), 2016
Association
of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Coordinating Committee on Faculty Development
(St. FX representative), 2015-2016
Faculty
Development Committee, 2015-2016
Committee on
Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Protocols: Support for Students and Website
Design, 2015
Community
Alcohol Strategy Alliance (CASA), 2014-2015
Chairs and
Coordinators Selection Committee, 2014-2016
Psychology
Department Executive Committee, 2007-2011; 2014-2015
APICS (Atlantic Provinces Council on the
Sciences [now Science Atlantic]) Psychology Conference Organizing Committee,
2010
Psychology
Department Curriculum Review Committee, 2007-2009
Psychology
Department Library Representative, 2006-2011
Bronfman
Lecture Series Committee, 2006-2009
Faculty of
Arts Lecture Series Committee, 2006-2009
University
Council for Research, 2006-2007
Summer
registration adviser, 2006, 2008
Debater in
Faculty of Arts Lecture Series: “The Great Debate,” 2006
Psychology
Department Advanced Majors and Honours Review
Committee, 2005-2006
McDaniel College
Honor and Conduct Board, 2003-2005
McDaniel College
Academic advisor, 2003-2005
External
examiner for Master of Science (Clinical Psychology) thesis at Acadia
University, 2020
Society for
Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Grant Review
Panelist, 2019-2020
External
evaluator for tenure application at Arcadia University, Pennsylvania, 2015
External
examiner for Master of Clinical Psychology thesis at the University of
Newcastle, Australia, 2015
Ad hoc grant
reviewer, Research Council of the University of Leuven (Belgium), 2012
Ad hoc grant
reviewer, National Science Foundation, 2007, 2008
Abstract
reviewer for annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, 2007
Poster
committee for annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social
Psychology, 2004
Ad hoc
reviewer, Basic and Applied Social
Psychology
Ad hoc reviewer, BMC Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science
Ad hoc
reviewer, Cognition and Emotion
Ad hoc
reviewer, Cognitive Therapy and Research
Ad hoc
reviewer, Emotion
Ad hoc
reviewer, European Journal of Social
Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Applied Social
Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Cognitive
Development
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Experimental Social
Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Personality
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Social and Clinical
Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Social and Personal
Relationships
Ad hoc
reviewer, Journal of Social Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Personality and Social
Psychology Bulletin
Ad hoc
reviewer, PLOS One
Ad hoc
reviewer, Psychology and Health
Ad hoc
reviewer, Review of General Psychology
Ad hoc
reviewer, Self and Identity
Ad hoc
reviewer, Small Group Research
Ad hoc reviewer, Social and Personality Psychology
Compass
Ad hoc reviewer, Social Psychological and Personality
Science
Ad hoc
reviewer, Teaching of Psychology
Textbook
reviewer, McGraw-Hill Ryerson (for the 5th Canadian edition of Social Psychology)
Textbook
reviewer, Taylor & Francis (for Social
Psychology: The Hidden Influences on Behavior)
HONORS AND AWARDS
University
Council for Research Grant, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023
Society for Personality
and Social Psychology (SPSP) Small Research Grant,
2018
Seed funding
through SSHRC Small Institutions Grant, 2006
McDaniel
College Faculty Development Grants, 2002, 2003, 2004
College of
Liberal Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Teaching Award, 2001
COURSES
TAUGHT
Advanced
Social and Personality Psychology
Advanced
Social Psychology
Advanced
Statistics for Psychological Research
Introductory
Psychology
Personality
Psychology
Research
Methods in Social Psychology
Research
Methods II: Research Design & Analysis
The Self
Social
Psychology